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Hop Valley Overnight permit area in Zion National Park - backcountry hiking destination
Booked one camp per night, in order

Hop Valley Overnight Permit

Zion National Park · Utah

Overnight camping permit for Hop Valley in Kolob Canyons area. 2 designated campsites.

Get an alert when a night opens on your Hop Valley Overnight dates.

Get alerts for your Hop Valley Overnight nights

A Hop Valley Overnight reservation is a sequence of nights, and each night books a camp.

Give us your trip window and we check every night of it across all camps on this permit, then tell you the moment nights open.

Cover the whole trip, plus any spare days you could shift onto. A wider window catches more openings.

The window above is how much time you have to work with. This is how many nights the trip itself takes. Leave it blank and we'll check every night in the window. We alert you when 2 or more nights in a row open.

Party

70% of the openings our scanner caught on Hop Valley Overnight were gone within 10 minutes.

Hop Valley Overnight reservation dates

route distance, out and back
13mi
elevation gain
850ft
max group size
12people

Hop Valley Overnight elevation profile

Hop Valley Trailhead to La Verkin Creek Junction, one way

850 ft of descent · 2.5% average grade

Landmark

Hop Valley Trailhead

Kolob Terrace Road access. Small parking area.

Mile 0 of 6.5
0 Hop Valley Trailhead6.5 La Verkin Creek Junction
Mile
0
Elevation
6,350 ft

Hop Valley Overnight landmarks

How to get a Hop Valley Overnight permit

As of September 2026, Hop Valley Overnight in Zion National Park, Utah requires a permit issued via reservation. Hop Valley Overnight rates 5/10 on PermitSnag's demand index. Cancelled Hop Valley Overnight permits are re-released on the booking system, and PermitSnag alerts you the moment one opens. The Hop Valley Overnight route covers 13 miles with 850 feet of elevation gain, rated moderate.

Type
Overnight
Location
UT

  1. Step 1: Create a Recreation.gov account

    Sign up at Recreation.gov if you don't have an account. Have your payment info ready.

  2. Step 2: Know the release schedule

    Permits release on a rolling basis. Check the release time for your dates.

  3. Step 3: Be ready when permits drop

    Log in a few minutes early. Have your dates, group size, and payment ready to go.

  4. Step 4: Monitor for cancellations

    If your dates are sold out, people cancel all the time. Set up PermitSnag alerts to catch openings instantly.

Book at Recreation.gov
Learn more:
Best booking timesCancellation huntingRecreation.gov tips

More on Hop Valley Overnight: Live availability activityWhen Hop Valley Overnight permits open upHop Valley Overnight permit itinerary

The Hop Valley Overnight hike

Distance
13 miles
Elevation Gain
850 ft
Route Type
Out & Back
Duration
1 night
Difficulty
Moderate
Elevation Range
5,300 - 6,350 ft

Cross a high desert valley where private ranches dot the landscape and red rock towers mark the gateway to Zion's wildest backcountry.

About this permit

Hop Valley is a connector route in Zion's Kolob Terrace section, providing access to the La Verkin Creek drainage and the greater backcountry system. With only 2 designated campsites, it's best suited for through-hikers or those seeking extreme solitude.

The trail passes through private ranch land (stay on designated path) and involves challenging sandy hiking that slows progress considerably.

The route

From the Hop Valley Trailhead on Kolob Terrace Road, the route descends into a wide valley filled with sand dunes and sagebrush. The trail passes through a private ranch inholding (stay on designated trail) before entering NPS wilderness.

The two designated campsites are positioned in the lower valley where cottonwoods provide shade. Beyond camp, the trail connects to the La Verkin Creek Trail (6 miles to Kolob Arch) or continues to the Connector Trail linking to the West Rim.

This is primarily a through-route, not a destination in itself.

Why it matters

Hop Valley is Zion's least-traveled backcountry zone. The sandy trail passes through private ranch inholdings (please respect property boundaries) on its way to La Verkin Creek and the greater Kolob wilderness. Only 2 designated campsites keep this area wild. It's the connector for the Trans-Zion Traverse and offers a taste of the park that few visitors ever experience.

The feeling

Walking through Hop Valley feels like stepping into the old West. Ranch buildings appear among the sagebrush. Horses graze on private land while red rock cliffs frame the valley. The sand pulls at your feet, making each step feel earned. Then the valley narrows and the wilderness swallows you whole. This is Zion before it became famous.

Hop Valley Overnight hike highlights

  1. 6.5 miles to La Verkin Creek junction
  2. Only 2 designated campsites in entire valley
  3. Deep sand makes hiking slow
  4. Private ranch inholdings (respect property)
  5. Water sources may be seasonal

How hard the Hop Valley Overnight hike is

  • Physical DemandFitness and endurance required4/5
  • Technical SkillClimbing, scrambling, or specialized skills1/5
  • Exposure RiskSteep dropoffs and fall potential1/5
  • NavigationRoute finding and trail clarity2/5
  • CommitmentDifficulty of bailing out mid-route3/5

Best for: Through-hikers on the Trans-Zion Traverse or backpackers seeking absolute solitude.

Recommended experience: Desert backpacking experience recommended. Understanding of water management critical.

Not recommended for: Those expecting developed backcountry. This is minimal infrastructure.

When to hike Hop Valley Overnight

Best time to visit

March-May and October-November. Summer is brutally hot with unreliable water.

Weather Forecast

Trailhead (5,300 ft)

Today

☁️

66°

53°

42%

Wed

☁️

80°

57°

Thu

☀️

82°

60°

Fri

☀️

84°

63°

Sat

☁️

84°

65°

Sun

☀️

83°

65°

Mon

🌧️

78°

64°

View full NWS forecast →Mountain weather changes rapidly. This forecast is a guide—always be prepared for worse conditions.

Hop Valley Overnight photography guide

Golden Hour

The valley walls glow at sunset. Camp 2 offers better evening light angles.

Best Light

Early morning and late afternoon. Midday is flat and hot.

Beat the Crowds

You'll likely be alone. This is one of Zion's least-used backcountry zones.

Classic Shots

  1. Valley panorama with ranch buildings
  2. Sand dunes with red rock backdrop
  3. Cottonwood trees at campsite
  4. Trail winding through sagebrush
  5. Stars over the valley

Hop Valley Overnight rules, gear and safety

Gear checklist

Required
  • 4L water capacity (springs unreliable)
  • Gaiters for sand
  • Sun protection (no shade)
  • Food storage container
  • WAG bags

Recommended gear

  • Trekking poles for sand
  • Extra water beyond minimum
  • Wide-brim hat
  • Sandals for camp
  • Map of connecting trails

Rules & regulations

  1. 01Backcountry permit required
  2. 02Only 2 campsites available
  3. 03Stay on trail through private land
  4. 04No fires
  5. 05Pack out all waste
  6. 06Maximum group size 12

Hazards & considerations

  • Water scarcity. Springs may be dry.
  • Deep sand exhausts hikers
  • Extreme heat in summer. No shade.
  • Private property. Legal issues if trespassing.
  • Remote location. No cell service.

Safety & planning

Emergency Info

Emergency contacts, ranger station locations, and satellite communicator tips for Hop Valley Overnight.

Food Storage

Bear canister requirements, approved container lists, and rental locations for this permit.

Gear Checklist: Required and recommended gear for Hop Valley Overnight · Shuttle Services: Trailhead transportation options · Guide Services: Experienced wilderness guides

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Hop Valley Overnight FAQ

How do I get a Hop Valley Overnight permit?

PermitSnag alerts you the moment a Hop Valley Overnight cancellation opens, so you can book it before anyone else. Hop Valley Overnight permits use a reservation system.

When is the best time to visit Hop Valley Overnight?

Season dates are on the agency's page. Weekdays have better availability than weekends.

How competitive is the Hop Valley Overnight permit?

This permit has a demand score of 5/10, making it moderately competitive.

What if I can't get a Hop Valley Overnight permit?

Cancellations happen daily. Set up alerts with PermitSnag to get notified the moment a spot opens up. Pro and $19 single-permit alerts are checked about every minute, 24/7; free accounts are checked hourly.

Hop Valley Overnight trail conditions and trip reports

Trail Conditions(3)

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Alternatives to a Hop Valley Overnight permit

  • Similar ExperiencePermit required

    La Verkin Creek / Kolob Arch

    More developed backcountry with 13 campsites and reliable water. Same general area.

    Tradeoffs

    More people, more infrastructure, but also more reliable conditions.

  • Similar ExperiencePermit required

    Trans-Zion Traverse

    Hop Valley is section 2 of the 48-mile park crossing.

    Tradeoffs

    Longer commitment but uses this trail in context.

Where to stay near Hop Valley Overnight

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